Sheet Folding Device with Inverted Fulcrum for Accurate Nip Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sheet folding devices face challenges in accurately pushing the folding blade into the nip area of the folding rollers due to the restricted mounting position and difficulty in making the turning locus perpendicular to the sheet, limiting the size of the folding blade and the ability to sufficiently push the sheet into the rollers.

Innovation Solution

A sheet folding device with a folding rollers pair, a folding blade, and a sheet guide, where the folding blade includes a pivot shaft, a blade portion, and arm portions, allowing the blade to pivot and retract, forming a retreating path for the sheet to be accurately pushed into the nip area, and a movable guide that can cover or expose the outer surface of the rollers to prevent jamming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the folding blade is rotationally driven with the turning fulcrum on the side opposite to the folding rollers, then the structure is simple and the number of members is reduced, but the turning locus cannot be made perpendicular to the sheet and the sheet cannot be accurately pushed into the nip area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidpushing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by placing the turning fulcrum on the same side as the folding rollers instead of the opposite side. This inversion enables the blade portion to move perpendicular to the sheet, accurately pushing it into the nip area, while maintaining structural simplicity through the single-fulcrum rotational design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the turning fulcrum is located on the side opposite to the folding rollers, then the mounting position is less restricted, but it is difficult to make the folding blade large and push the sheet sufficiently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting position flexibilityVSAvoidblade size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the fulcrum position to the same side as the folding rollers, the patent enables the blade portion to extend further toward the nip area, increasing the effective blade length and pushing capability while maintaining mounting flexibility through the rotational mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Length of moving object

If the folding blade is made large to push the sheet sufficiently, then the pushing capability is improved, but the mounting position becomes largely restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblade sizeVSAvoidmounting position flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic rotational mechanism where the blade portion pivots around the turning fulcrum. This dynamic design allows the blade to achieve a large effective length for sufficient sheet pushing while the fulcrum mounting position remains flexible and less restricted compared to fixed blade configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration enables accurate and efficient folding of sheets by allowing the folding blade to be positioned perpendicularly to the sheet, enhancing the arrangement freedom of the blade and preventing jamming, thus improving the folding process.

Implementation Method 1

The folding blade extends in an axial direction of the folding rollers pair, is disposed facing the folding rollers pair, and is configured to push a folded portion of the sheet into a first nip area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

the sheet is pressed at the nip area of the folding rollers, thereby performing a folding processing on the sheet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS11560286B2Sheet folding device and sheet post-processing apparatus including the same

Publication Date: 2023.01.24 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A sheet folding device includes a folding rollers pair, a folding blade and a sheet guide. The folding rollers pair causes a sheet to pass through a first nip area to fold the sheet. The folding blade includes a blade portion and a pair of arm portions. The blade portion is selectively disposed in a folding position where the blade portion pushes a folded portion of the sheet into the first nip area and in a retracting position where the blade portion is retracted from the folding position. The pair of arm portions couples both end portions of the blade portion with the pivot shaft. The sheet guide can be passed between the pair of arm portions. Between the blade portion and the sheet guide, a retreating path in which a part of the sheet is retreated when the folded portion is pushed into the first nip area.